Cheesecake Factory's Chicken Costolleta

I found this recipe while roaming around food blogs and sites. I’ve never actually had this dish as the closest Cheesecake Factory is an hour and a half away. The only thing I’ve ever had from there is my wedding cakes. (Yep, we did multiple tiers of cheesecake for our wedding.) So I can not guarantee the authenticity of this recipe. Having said that, it is darn good! I’m definitely adding this to the rotation. I’m In LOVE with the lightly flavored dipping sauce for a hot crispy piece of chicken. You HAVE to try this.

Chicken Costolleta (and I still think that looks/sounds like Cost-a-lotta)
Ingredients:
4 large skinless boneless chicken breasts cut into large strips and pounded to ½ inch thick
3 tbs flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 eggs
Splash of water
Zest of 1 lemon
1 ½ cups plain breadcrumbs
2 tbs grated parmesan
Vegetable oil

Directions:
Heat vegetable oil over medium high (about ¼ inch of it in a deep cast iron pan- I used a dutch oven). In three dishes put the following ingredients:
Dish 1: flour, pepper and salt. Mix.
Dish 2: Eggs and water. Whisk.
Dish 3: Lemon zest, bread crumbs and parmesan.

Place each chicken strip in the flour, then egg, then breadcrumb mixture. Make sure in each stage it is thoroughly coated. Place in heated oil for about 4 minutes per side or until Golden brown and done in the center. Try to only flip once. If your oil is smoking, its too hot. You want it just below smoking point.

Lemon Cream Dipping Sauce:
Ingredients:
1 tbs olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1 tbs Dijon mustard
The juice from two lemons
Zest from One lemon
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 tbs butter, cold

Directions:
Over medium heat in saucepan, heat olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add cream and boil until reduced and slightly thick. Add mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Simmer about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted.

You can serve the cream sauce OVER the chicken or use it is a dipping sauce which is how I preferred it.